What Should We Wear for Our Family Photoshoot? A London Photographer's Complete Guide

If there's one question I hear from almost every family before their session, it's this: "What should we wear?"

You're not alone. It's the single most Googled question about family photoshoots — and honestly, it's a brilliant one. What your family wears has a huge impact on the final images. Get it right and your photos feel timeless, warm, and full of personality. Get it wrong and you'll be distracted by clashing colours or itchy collars every time you look at them.

So here's my complete guide — built from years of photographing families across London, from Balham and Clapham to Dulwich and beyond.

The Golden Rule: Comfortable Beats Perfect

Before we talk colours and fabrics, start here. If you're uncomfortable, it'll show. The same goes for your children — restless children in stiff new shoes or scratchy shirts make for a very long afternoon.

Choose clothing you'd actually wear to a nice Sunday lunch in the park. Smart-casual is the sweet spot. You want to look like the best version of yourselves, not like you've hired costumes.

Build Your Look Around One Key Piece

The most common mistake families make is trying to coordinate everyone at once and ending up overwhelmed. Instead, try this:

Start with Mum. Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful — a floaty midi dress, a linen shirt with tailored trousers, whatever feels like you. Then build everyone else's looks around that starting point.

Alternatively, if one of your children has a gorgeous little outfit you've been waiting for the right moment to use, start there and work outwards.

Choose a Colour Palette, Not Matching Outfits

Gone are the days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and jeans (and honestly, good riddance). Modern family portraits look so much better when each person is dressed individually — but in a way that harmonises.

Here's how to do it:

Pick 3–4 colours and stick to them. Choose a base neutral — think cream, stone, warm white, or navy — and then accent with one or two softer tones. For a spring shoot in a London park, think blush, sage, and ivory. For an autumn session, consider rust, forest green, and camel.

Soft and earthy tones photograph beautifully. They don't compete with natural backgrounds (think Clapham Common, Brockwell Park, or Dulwich Park), and they age incredibly well — you won't look at these photos in ten years and cringe at a neon orange jumper.

Avoid:

• Bright white (it can blow out in bright light)

• Busy logos and large graphics (they distract the eye immediately)

• Too many bold patterns at once — one patterned piece per family is the limit

Fabric and Texture Matter More Than You Think

Flat, plain fabrics can look a bit dull in photographs. Instead, go for fabrics that have natural texture and movement — linen, cotton knit, corduroy, soft velvet, and flowing jersey all photograph beautifully. A flowy skirt or dress in a gentle breeze is one of those things that just works in photos every single time.

Layers are also your friend. A denim jacket, a soft cardigan, or a cosy scarf adds visual depth and lets you adapt to London's wonderfully unpredictable weather. Plus, removing a layer mid-shoot can give you a slightly different look without a full outfit change.

What to Wear at Each Stage of Life

For Newborns

Keep it simple. For new babies, soft stretchy wraps, simple cotton babygrows in white, cream, or muted pastels are ideal. Let those tiny details — the curled fingers, the delicate eyelashes — be the focus. Textured knits are also utterly adorable in natural tones.

For mum and dad in newborn sessions (which I do at home, in the comfort of your own surroundings), think relaxed but put-together. A flowy nursing-friendly dress for mum, and a plain, well-fitting t-shirt or shirt for dad. Avoid overly bold colours that will draw attention away from your baby.

For Babies and Toddlers

Toddlers are their own force of nature — and that's exactly what makes them so wonderful to photograph. Keep them in clothes they can move in freely. If they normally wear wellies and dungarees, lean into it. Authenticity always beats stiffness.

For older babies who are sitting up or cruising, beautiful knitwear, soft dungarees, or simple smocked dresses are lovely. Keep footwear in mind too — little bare feet are always adorable if the session allows for it.

For Children

Whatever your children feel most themselves in is usually the best choice. If your eight-year-old is obsessed with a particular colour, work with it rather than against it. Children who are happy and comfortable are children who will actually give you a genuine smile — which is worth infinitely more than a perfectly coordinated outfit.

For Family Groups

Aim for visual harmony rather than uniformity. A classic combination that always works: neutrals (cream, stone, oatmeal) for the adults, a slightly bolder accent colour on one child, and a soft coordinating tone on the others. Lay everything out on the bed together before the day and photograph it — it's a great way to spot anything that clashes before it's too late.

Seasonal Outfit Ideas for London Photoshoots

Spring (March–May): Light fabrics, floral accents, soft pastels. Think blush pink, lilac, sky blue, and fresh white. London's parks are alive with blossom, so keep things light and fresh.

Summer (June–August): Breathable linen and cotton. Soft yellows, warm terracotta, coral, and sage green work beautifully. Don't forget to think about the sun — light layers are practical as well as lovely.

Autumn (September–November): This is golden hour season, and warm, earthy tones sing in that low autumn light. Mustard, burnt orange, olive, chocolate brown, and burgundy are all gorgeous.

Winter (December–February): Richer jewel tones — emerald, teal, deep berry, and navy — look stunning against frost and bare branches. Cosy knitwear, beautiful coats, and hats and scarves all add warmth and visual interest.

Don't Forget the Details

Shoes: These appear in more shots than people expect. Go for footwear that fits the overall feel — simple trainers, leather boots, sandals. Avoid overly sporty or bright trainers that clash with your outfits.

Hair and make-up: Do what makes you feel like yourself. A little more effort than a usual weekday is always worth it, but you don't need to look dramatically different. Keep it natural and you.

Glasses: If you or your child normally wears them, wear them. You want to look like you.

Avoid fake tan the day before a shoot — it can add unwanted orange tones in edited images, especially if there's a colour difference between family members.

My Offer to You: I'll Help You Decide

Here's something lots of people don't know: your photographer is your style ally. I always arrange a pre-session consultation with clients, and I'm always happy to look over outfit ideas before shoot day. Send me a photo of what you're thinking — I'll be honest and helpful.

Getting the outfits right is one of the things that will make your images truly beautiful and wall-worthy. It's worth the extra half hour of planning.

Ready to Book Your Session?

I'm Juliet — a professional family photographer based in Balham, South West London, specialising in newborns, babies, toddlers, children, and family groups. I photograph families across London, from home sessions to beautiful outdoor locations in parks like Dulwich, Brockwell, and Clapham Common.

If you'd love to book a session or have a question about what to wear, I'd love to hear from you.